quote · Legacy record
The priestly brotherhood, devout, sincere, From mean self-interest and ambition clear, Their hope in Heaven, servility their scorn, Prompt to persuade, expostulate, and warn. There wisdom pure, and given them from above, Their usefulness ensured by zeal and love, As meek as the man Moses, and withal As bold as in Agrippa’s presence, Paul, Should fly the world’s contaminating touch, Holy and unpolluted.
The priestly brotherhood, devout, sincere, From mean self-interest and ambition clear, Their hope in Heaven, servility their scorn, Prompt to persuade, expostulate, and warn. There wisdom pure, and given them from above, Their usefulness ensured by zeal and love, As meek as the man Moses, and withal As bold as in Agrippa’s presence, Paul, Should fly the world’s contaminating touch, Holy and unpolluted.
Approximate author period: c. 1765 AD · early modern
Meaning not yet available
An individual explanation has not yet been added. We do not substitute a generic description for an interpretation of these particular words.
Begin with source-checked readings and explanations ↗Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- William Cowper
Attribution: attributed - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- Approximate author period: c. 1765 AD · early modern
author lifetime midpoint (1731–1800)
An author lifetime, approximate period or collection date is not necessarily the date when these words were first written or spoken. - Recorded source
- A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations (catalogued1888) (1888 AD)
Page 465 · printed citation: Cowper · subject: PRIEST
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.